ABC announces 2023 Regional Storyteller Scholars

Az Cosgrove and Megan McLoughlin have been named as the 2023 ABC Regional Storyteller Scholars.

Az, from the New South Wales Hunter Valley, says being awarded the scholarship is a validation of the stories he has to tell as a queer person with disability.

“It means that I can still have dreams and goals and that I can still participate in cultural life. It means the stories I have to tell matter.”

Megan, from Stone Well in South Australia, says her win gives her a chance to “be part of change” rather than sitting back and waiting for change to happen. “I get to be shown the skills to implement this change for the one in five Australians living with disability. For the first time in a long time, it makes me proud to be legally blind.”

The scholarship, in partnership with the Department of Social Services and now in its sixth year, promotes emerging content makers with disability who live in regional Australia, helping them to challenge perceptions they face within the broader community, as well as breaking down unnecessary barriers.

The two scholarship winners will work with various ABC teams over ten weeks to develop their skills, produce content and gain valuable employment experience.